Alabama man charged in child sex sting

A 22-year-old Alabama man is facing charges after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said he enticed a minor for sex acts and transmitted pornography to a minor by electronic device.

Zachary Bunyon Douglas Melvin of Pansey was arrested Monday and charged with cruelty toward a child and obscene communication - using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child.

On Feb. 8, FDLE, Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff's Office began working with other law enforcement agencies on an online undercover operation targeting people who use the Internet to sexually exploit children.

An undercover officer posed as a 14-year-old girl, Jill, on the same day on MeetMe, a social media network that connects people to new friends. While on MeetMe, "Jill" began talking to Melvin, whose computer was located in Tallahassee, according to court records.

Later, the two exchanged phone numbers and began texting. During the conversation, Melvin asked if "Jill" wanted to meet and if she wanted to have sex with him, according to FDLE. Four photos were exchanged during the conversation. Two were from the undercover officer, two were from Melvin - a picture of himself and an elicit photo.

Local law enforcement in Dothan was asked to help locate Melvin. An officer there began an undercover chat with Melvin on social media, posing as a 15-year-old girl, investigators said. Melvin agreed to meet the undercover officer for sex acts and was arrested when he arrived.